On the water: Coast Guard wants you to enjoy lakes safely
National Safe Boating Week: Coast Guard offers safety tips
National Safe Boating Week: Coast Guard offers safety tips
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Nothing quite says summer like spending the day out on the lake. As area boaters start hitting the water, the Coast Guard wants to make sure they're prepared to enjoy the season safely.
There's something exhilarating about cutting around a lake at full throttle on a pristine day, but you never know what might happen on any given trip.
The Coast Guard is kicking of National Safe Boating Week by checking in with boaters and making sure they're prepared for the season ahead.
"We actually are going around the docks having a lot of vessel safety checks and exams to just make sure they're ready for the summer," said Lt. Brian Dykens, U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson. "They get a sticker and a decal to make sure you know when a coast guard boat boards them, they know that they've already had a vessel safety check."
That includes making sure boaters have enough life jackets on board and that the ones they have are still usable after the long winter.
"Life jackets could be eaten out by rats," said Dykens.
Memorial Day marks the start of boating season for many, but some, like Scott Woda, have already hit the water a handful of times.
"We got our life jackets and we always have flares handy and our radios on just in case something bad happens," said Woda.
He says every spring he checks his boat from head to toe, and inspects all of his gear. He also says safety should a top priority for anyone planning to spend the summer on the water.
"It's a big deal, people get killed a lot easier on a boat than you do in a car. There's nothing strapping you in, all you do is get hit and most likely you're getting thrown in the water," said Woda.
Another thing to remember if you're hitting the water anytime soon -- the water temperature is still very cold, like in mid forties, so you should dress for the water temperature not the air temperature.